PRESS RELEASE: Celebrating NeighborWorks® Week 2016!!

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2016
Maria Perez-Martinez, 475-227-0530, mmartinez@nhsofnewhaven.org

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF NEW HAVEN TO CELEBRATE
NEIGHBORWORKS® WEEK 2016 WITH MULTIPLE EVENTS

The series of events and activities will culminate with a community garden clean-up,
Barbecue, and launch of the Newhallville99 project.

NEW HAVEN, CT – On June 1, 2016, volunteers from Bike & Build will join Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven staff to beautify the Ivy Street Community Garden and Greenhouse, the Shelton Avenue Learning Corridor, and the Farmington Canal Trail. The Bike & Build volunteer event will kick off a celebration of neighborhood revitalization activities nationally recognized as NeighborWorks® Week.

During NeighborWorks® Week (officially June 4-12), NHS of New Haven and other NeighborWorks® organizations across the country will mobilize tens of thousands of residents, business people and government officials in a week of neighborhood change and awareness. NHS of New Haven will host and partner with a number of New Haven groups to offer a variety of activities. From workshops on money management to leading hikes during CT Trails Day to offering free garden workshops, NHS of New Haven plans to ensure that New Haven residents have opportunities to serve, thrive, discover, connect, and celebrate.

The series of events will culminate on Saturday, June 11 at a community garden located at 49 Bassett Street. NHS of New Haven staff, residents, and volunteers will clean and plant the garden. Afterward, there will be a community Barbecue, a walking tour of NHS homes led by NHS Executive Director Jim Paley, and the launch of the Newhallville99 project.

The Newhallville99 Project is designed to celebrate the rich and vibrant history of the Newhallville neighborhood, and to highlight recent initiatives and accomplishments within this community. Newhallville99 is a way for everyone (residents of Newhallville or not) to be motivated to engage with their communities, be proud of where they live, and look forward to a future of never ending possibilities.

“Each June, we are thrilled to be a part of NeighborWorks® Week,” remarked Jim Paley. “It’s a great opportunity for NHS of New Haven to highlight the work that we do with residents, volunteers, and community groups throughout the year. This year’s theme, Creating Opportunity, has allowed us to plan events and activities that invite the community and other organizations to join us in volunteer opportunities, educational workshops, and group meetings – to learn how we can all collaborate to make a positive impact on communities in New Haven and throughout Connecticut.”  

Complete List of NeighborWorks® Activities
Further details can be found on NHS’ website: www.nhsofnewhaven.org

June 1, 2016: 8:30am-4:00pm Bike & Build: Pedal for Affordable Housing	June 2, 2016: 5:15pm-8:15pm Pre-Closing Education Workshop
June 4, 2016: 10:00am-12:30pm CT Trails Day: West River Greenway #1	June 5, 2016: 10:00am-12:15pm CT Trails Day: West River Greenway #2
June 6, 2016: 5:30pm-7:30pm New Haven Energy Task Force Meeting	June 8, 2016: 9:15am-11:30am West River Watershed Coalition Meeting
June 9, 2016: 5:00pm-8:00pm Money Management Workshop	June 10, 2016: 4:00pm-6:00pm West River Water Festival Launch Party
June 11, 2016: 10:00am-12:00pm Seed Swap Garden Workshop	June 11, 2016: 9:00am-12:00pm Community Garden Clean Up, BBQ, and Newhallville99!

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven works to revitalize selected neighborhoods in New Haven by increasing homeownership; making homes beautiful, energy-efficient, and affordable; and helping residents take charge of their neighborhoods. We believe that increased homeownership, educated homebuyers, and rehabilitated houses will produce stable, revitalized neighborhoods that our clients will be proud to call home. During the course of our 36-year history, NHS has fully renovated and sold nearly 450 units to low- and moderate-income families. www.nhsofnewhaven.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is part of the national NeighborWorks® Network, an affiliation of more than 240 nonprofit organizations located in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In 2015, the Network helped­­­­ nearly 356,000 individuals and families with affordable housing and counseling. The Network was founded and is supported by NeighborWorks® America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. www.nw.org

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